He hoped it would be enough to defeat the monster standing before him, its snout bleeding from where it had been damaged when it had crashed through the wall. A low snarl sounded from the back of its throat. Its tail snapped back and forth behind it, furious and impatient. The darkly golden gleam in the nightdemon’s eyes reminded Shim of the bear monster they’d faced in Lostwood.

“Let go of me!” Sunny shrieked, trying to muscle past him, but his grip on her was iron as he held her at bay. “You don’t understand! Only I can—”

Whatever she was about to say was lost to the angry roar as the nightdemon sprang from its haunches, mouth open to receive its reward. Shim could’ve dodged, but then Sunny would’ve been killed, so instead he released his hold on her at the same time as he leapt forward to meet his foe.

He grabbed each part of its mouth, top and bottom, his godsblood-enhanced strength drawing on its well of reserves, holding those jaws open as they sought to snap shut, crunching his bones to rubble. The beast’s hot, acrid breath wafted over his face, smelling of blood, meat and rot. It was nauseating, but he swallowed the bile down, digging his heels in as they continued to grapple. The nightdemon suddenly dove to the ground and his grip faltered, and then it bucked its head upward, punching into his stomach and sending him airborne.

He came crashing down, barely managing to plant his feet before the nightdemon was upon him again, raking its claws across his cheek and tossing him hard to one side. He crashed into the wall, bouncing off and landing in a tangle of arms and legs. He hissed his anger, fangs sliding free from their hidden chambers within his dark gums.

If the nightdemon was impressed, it showed no sign, bounding across the room, crushing tables and chairs under its heavy trod. Shim waited until the last second and then dove to one side, earning a satisfying thud as the monster was unable to stop until it had crashed into the wall.

Shim pulled himself upright and looked back toward where the creature was shaking its head and pawing at a cut on its nose. Its eyes locked on his, glowing gold. It charged.

He bent his knees and exploded upward, supercharged strength sending him far higher than should’ve been possible. The demon skittered beneath him, snapping at his feet but missing, trying to turn fast enough but failing.

He landed on its back.

Its fur was slick with a sticky substance, hardened into clumps and spikes, almost wiry. He grabbed onto some of it to hang on.

Not a moment too soon either, as the creature went berserk, trying to twist its head around to bite him but unable to rotate its neck far enough. Instead, it took to sprinting from side to side, slamming into the walls until they shook, dust raining down from the ceiling above. It was all Shim could do to stay mounted without tapping into his reserves of strength, which he was saving for the kill stroke.